As "elite and" escorts are becoming more less and less signetized and are able to keep themselves safer (especially by means of Internet background checks, deposits to avoid law enforcement, and even paid sites such as P411 or client verification - as well as provider verification - is built into the system automatically), the providers who receive the least financial gain from their work are also put at the most risk. They are often unable to access even the basic technologies most of us assume to be a part of every day life. Many who DO have access to a phone only have a free "wifi" number, so as soon as they for example enter a clients vehicle even safety measures such as providing a friend or fellow SWer with their google live location via a link is inatantly useless. In addition, this means many are either unable to perform background checks ,receive electronic deposits, or access sites where verification is preperformed, or site such as the "douche not see" list, where fellow sex workers provide Information on potentially/known dangerous clients. Not only does the immediate nature of their sessions makes these things highly impractical, but often their clients simply refuse to participate in screening or provide deposits whatsoever. Therefore, due to the desperation of their situation, those who gain the least and are stigmatized the most are put at the highest risk.
I read a tweet a couple months ago by Kayla Katt which really has stuck with me. She wrote, "This cute man stopped me on the street and said I'm the most beautiful woman hes ever seen. He asked if I had a number and I said, 'Better, I have a website!'", and gave him my naughtiest look. Long story short, he just left my hotel room, and I'm $1000 richer.
She then put this into a perspective which i feel most people do not even consider, adding a comment on her own tweet which called on the reader to examine their own bias-whether conscious or unconscious. "By the way, if you think this is great, but wouldn't if it was for 40 or 100 instead of 1000 or maybe in a car instead of a hotel, that is whorearchy and classism, and you should reflect on that."
One of the greatest Things about the United States of America is the opportunity it provides individuals to become a self - made man/woman and to be accepted by the pinnacle of those possessing social, financial, political freedom simply by working your way to the top. We have no royalty, no nobility ; upward movement is not merely restricted to financial success. You can truly achieve upward socio - economic movement in this country. However; this absolutely does not mitigate, let alone excuse, stigmatizing or disrespecting others who are in the same field, yet are less financially successful...let alone being accepting of the most vulnerable being exploited and downtrodden.
To me, this is one of the biggest drawbacks of a capitalistic society. What does it say about us as a people? What does it reveal about our values and our moral compass as a society, that we value or degrade our fellow human beings, determine Then worthy or deem them unworthy or undeserving of respect and even the right to safety based on their financial status?
All humans are inherently equal, and for society to accept some sex workers yet still stigmatize and degrade others, to the point of even disregarding their need for physical safety, what does this say about our culture and humanity as a whole? To reduce the worth of a fellow human being to merely a dollar sign only degrades humanity as a whole and honestly makes one feel ashamed to even desire to be a part of mainstream society.
For the next installment in my series "In the Era of Virtual Sex Work (and how it is affecting the "Whorearchy"), tune in again next week!
Comments and feedback greatly appreciated!!!!
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